Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

What Gets Measured, Creates Accountability And Gets Done

No sales force can truly be considered a "best practice" unless it meets the test of measurement. If the ‘practice’ works, you should be able to visualize, define, and measure the results. There is no easier way to prove the ‘measurement’ theory than with sales. In the past 15 years, strategic management has focused more and more on measurement. Strategic management was revolutionized in the e. . .

Life Insurance Coverage

The subject of life insurance can be a confusing one and we spend a lot of time discussing various ways to buy life insurance. How much do I need? How much will it cost? Will my beneficiaries have enogh to live comfortably? What is the difference between cash-value and term life insurance? Which is the cheapest to buy?CASH VALUE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIESCash value life insurance, such as universa. . .

An Investing/Insurance Alternative

Segregated funds are the insurance company's answer to mutual funds. There are many differences and similarities but if you are putting together a financial plan that includes insurance and investments, you'll probably want to consider a segregated fund.Segregated funds are also called individual variable insurance contracts (IVIC's) and they'll be offered by a many insurance companies. Like mu. . .

Buying Rental Properties - Some Tips

Buying rental properties can be a great way to build your wealth. However, as in most real estate investment, it is sometimes difficult to know if you've found a good deal - especially the first time. Here are some things to look for to be sure that rental is a great investment.1. Location. If traffic is heavier, rentals are easier to rent. A sign will often pull more response than an ad in the. . .

A Guide to Bad Credit Credit Cards

Having less than perfect credit can hurt you and your financial future. One way to get yourself out of the dark hole of credit is by responsibly using a credit card. If you have bad credit and are looking for a credit card, you may want to stick with the bad credit credit cards. Bad credit credit cards are just like regular credit cards, but they are specifically for high risk cardholders. Sinc. . .

How To Find A Real Estate Agent

It's easy to find a real estate agent. Just put a for sale sign in the yard and wait for the phone to ring. The question is, how do you find a GOOD real estate agent? You can start with newspaper.Pick up the Saturday or Sunday paper - whichever day they have all the homes for sale in your area. You can also collect a few real estate guides to look through. Browse the listings to find properties. . .

Thinking About A Payday Loan?

Not everybody is fortunate enough to win the lottery. If you're like most of us, you have to work for living to put food on the table and a roof over your head. At times you find yourself with a little extra cash to splurge on something nice, but other times you find that an emergency or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity requires more cash than you have on hand.What can you do when that happens?. . .

Want to Get Instant Credit Card Approval?

There are many people that need a credit card in a hurry. This can be for many reasons. They may need a credit card right away for an unexpected emergency. Some people need one for a vacation. Others just need some extra cash to pay bills. Whatever your reasons may be, you may need the credit card right now. But how do you get a credit card in a hurry? You need to get instant Credit . . .

Tips on How to Apply for a Credit Card

Deciding to apply for a credit card is not a decision you should take lightly. Many stores try to get you to impulsively apply at the register, and you should never agree. Credit cards can affect your financial situation for years so you should certainly think before you act. If you want to apply for a credit card, there are a few steps you should take beforehand. Evaluation Before you ap. . .

What Are We Teaching PR Students?

How to do brochures, throw parties, talk to reporters and write press releases? Or, are we teaching them what PR’s fundamental premise says we should be teaching them? In so many words, whether they go to work for a business, non-profit, government agency or association, students will soon discover that people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable beha. . .

How To Find a Good Small Business Phone System?

Do you find yourself running a small business with difficulty getting to every call? When running a small business people often feel that simply putting in a separate business line away from the home line will be good enough. It’s just a matter of time, however, that you’ll realize that one separate line is just not good enough to get to every call and to get messages from every call. With the . . .

How Much Insurance Do I Need?

Insurance is a complicated business, and it can be unpleasant to talk about because no one likes talking about death… especially their own death! Because of those two reasons, many people do not think about insurance very much. However, most people should have some kind of insurance.But how can you tell what kind of insurance you need? It is such as specialized industry, with insurance brokers . . .

How to Find the Best Credit Cards

Finding the best credit cards in today’s world can be a bit challenging. Although you may receive hundreds of credit card applications in your mailbox each year, not all of them are worth your time and energy. To find the best credit cards, you should use a general checklist when examining each application. By using this checklist you can guarantee that you know exactly what type of credit card. . .

How to Use and Select Stock Photography Services

There are two main types of photography to sell, that is assignment photography and Stock Photography. Assignment photography is taking photographs of a predetermined event, and stock Photography is taking photographs in the hope that you will be able to find a future buyer. Most professional photographers take both types, the weddings and portraits take care of immediate bills, as they command. . .

Branding Your Business To Make More Money

Branding your comapny should be the first thing a company does. You have to convince potential customers to buy from you. Very few people have a monopoly like Microsoft or Ebay, Everyone else need to steer business to their company or product. When people think about your company, what is their impression. For my company, Solutions Ink, I wanted to portray a fresh, professional, ease of use typ. . .

Entrepreneurs Go Virtual!

With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing, you’ll be hard pressed to not know of someone going down the entrepreneurial route. Nowadays you can set-up shop and start trading in a matter of days, and the preferred choice for the neo entrepreneur is a service called Virtual Offices.I my self, run and operate a Virtual Office company based in Central London and have wr. . .

Never Leave Home Without Your Business Cards

A bell ringing makes people know that an establishment is open. Or makes them stare and try to find out where that came from. Your business cards are your bells. In this case, it is YOU who is being represented and being marketed by these cards. You cannot go about carrying and taking resumes along with you. But you can have dozens of business cards with you and nobody would notice. Never leave. . .

Gift Cards - Is It Time to Use Them for My Business?

You're probably thinking, here we go again somebody is trying to sell me something that I really don't need. I'm sure it will benefit them, but will it benefit me? Firstly let me say that my company, Solutions Ink does sell gift and loyalty cards. The market out there while huge is certainly not for anyone. Who then are these cards good for?These cards are great for chain stores with multiple l. . .

How to Beat Work Addiction

Hi!Why are you so busy? Do you really have too much work? Is work so important to you that you'll sacrifice just about anything in your life to get the job done? Even if it's at the expense of your health and your relationships?If you find these questions disturbing then see how you rate with these ones:Do you work more than 50 hours a week? Do you dream about work? Do you feel that in order to. . .

How Do I Love You, Let Me Count The Ways, Here's How I Do...

Having been in business for over 20 years I sit marvelling at the change of business. I first started out of University working for a large Canadian Bank. Each account manager had a secretary and the norm was seeing many bank employees with ten, twenty and even thirty years of dutiful service to their employer. Most of the account managers got nominal raises each year and for the most part they. . .

Online Credit Cards: How To Apply For Them And What To Lo...

With the advent of the Internet, almost everything has been rendered deliverable with digital speed. You could order items online, for example, and the same would be shipped to your doorsteps the next day. You could pay your bills through online channels as well. And most definitely, you could apply for a credit card online, a process that gave birth to a tag for the cards acquired as such: onl. . .

Credit Protection Insurance -- Just Another Consumer Rip-Off

Credit protection insurance is a good example of a consumer rip-off that affects millions of people, yet gets little attention in the financial media. Simply stated, you should NEVER buy "credit protection insurance," or a "payment protection plan" or any other similar type of credit-related insurance. Let's take a look at how these programs work and why they are a bad deal for the average cons. . .

How to Say "No"

We all wish we could say "yes" to everybody and everything. And yet sometimes we have to say "no."Here's how to say "no" with class and respect. Be CourageousSome people feel afraid to say "no." They may either expect a hostile reaction or they want to be helpful. As a result, they end up inconveniencing both themselves and other people.Recognize that it is okay to say "no." In fact, most peopl. . .

Why Work Slow-Down Can Be the Virtual Assistant’s Best Fr...

Quiet times in business happen to all of us. They happen to established Virtual Assistants, as well as to those just starting out. The phone stops ringing, your email inbox is so empty you wonder if your internet service is down and you can’t think of a make-work project to save your life. The good news is that once you’ve experienced a few quiet times and learned that they always end, they’. . .

The Bankruptcy Record Is Open To The Public

Before you file for bankruptcy, it is important to realize that all bankruptcy proceedings will be listed in public bankruptcy records. Therefore, if you have filed for bankruptcy, it is possible for anybody - including future employers or creditors - to easily look up your bankruptcy record while trying to discover your financial history. This can be very annoying in the future, and might make. . .

Credit After Bankruptcy Is Not Impossible

If you are going to file for bankruptcy, it is true that you will not have very good credit after bankruptcy. However, this does not mean that you will never be able to get loans, and it certainly doesn't mean that you will never have a good credit history again. While it is true that there will be a short period of time during which it will be exceptionally hard to get credit, it is not true t. . .

The Easiest Part Time Home Business

For most of us, earning a few extra dollars a month can make a big difference in our lifestyle. But like most of us we work full time jobs, have busy schedules and don’t have the time to devote three or four hours a day to working a second job. The one thing we all do have is opinions on almost everything, so why not get paid for having them? There are over 7 million companies out there that ar. . .

Montreal Printing, Why Deal With A Document Management Sp...

If you've come to this article, chances are you are looking to buy printing for some project either in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Canada or the Eastern United States. I can look up in the yellow pages and get hundred of printing company's names so what's your shpiel?My shpiel, is simply to make you think about what it is you are really looking for. Printing although thought of as a commodity it. . .

The Cheapest, Forget It !

Wouldn't it be great if we got get the cheapest price on everything. I know I wouldn't want it. Would you? Do you strive to get the cheapest automoblie? The cheapest mobile home to live in? The cheapest place to eat? Rather than look for the cheapest we tend to look for value for our money. We know we all work hard for our money and would like to be compensated if we are to give it up.The first. . .

Life Insurance Scenarios

Most individuals have some form of insurance, whether it is for their vehicle, home or health. But it is important, however, not to overlook the benefits of life insurance, which pays money to beneficiaries when the insured dies.HOW LIFE INSURANCE WORKSTypically, the insured person makes payments into the plan - called premiums - in exchange for a "death benefit," the money that is paid at the . . .

Printing - How Do I Buy It?

Why should I care where I get my printed material from, I'll just go for tenders and go with the low bidder. If you do this probably you won't be in business for long or you'll never really run a successful business. My company, Solutions Ink started from the premise that I don't just sell printed products but rather I help businesses grow and prosper. Being in the business for over 20 years I'. . .

Improve Your Prospects

When making sales calls, like the Boy Scouts, it pays to be prepared. It demonstrates your professionalism, saves time and enables you to anticipate questions and overcome resistance. Today, with so many research sources available you should be able to find information on every prospect. Good places to look for information about your prospects include the Internet, newspapers, magazines, trade . . .

How Do I Get More Business? Where's The Magic Wand?

Here it is again the end of the relaxing summer. Here comes the bills for school, back to school accessories, the count down to the holiday gifts and the searching out of that perfect holiday getaway. The common theme is Money and plenty of it. There was a time when any business just needed a sign outside their door and poof, people came in to buy from you. Twenty or thirty years ago it was unh. . .

Home Business Ideas For Normal Moms Like You And Me

I am a normal, work from home mom, who started my own home business working from home. This article will show you how you, too, can be a work from home mom. After I gave birth to our first baby, Hana, I really couldn’t see myself going back to that old job working for Mr. What's-his-name for a measly salary and leaving Hana with a babysitter. I didn’t realize how deeply I would LOVE my baby. Do. . .

Get a Free Bankruptcy Form Online

If you want to file bankruptcy on your own, you can. You just need to make sure that you get the right bankruptcy form. There are a lot of different places where you can get a bankruptcy form - including online. One thing you should keep in mind, however, is that you should not have to pay for your bankruptcy form. Therefore, if you do look for bankruptcy forms online, make sure that the site y. . .

Why Real Estate Investment?

Why should you invest in real estate? Well, investing in real estate for profit is one of the most popular approaches to generating additional income in the United States today. In fact, if you pay attention to recent press you will have seen numerous reports about the real estate investment craze that seems to be sweeping the Nation.When done carefully and intelligently, real estate can yiel. . .

Adverse Credit Secured Loans – Setting Aside the Credit R...

The debt defaults that you made in the past are not ready to let go of you so easily. It continues to show itself in the credit file, earning the debtor an adverse credit history for the nest six years, sometimes even larger. A group of loan providers, who would like to ensure maximum safety of the secured loan first, offer little recourse to the borrowers with adverse credit history. The optio. . .

Why Credit Cards are a Bad Idea

When you shop on the Internet or over the phone, it’s the only good way to do it – what else are you going to do, post a cheque? Like anything convenient, though, credit cards have a flip side – in fact, they have lots. Can You Keep Track? When you walk into that shop and hand over the card, the money is taken from the card, and the card goes back into your wallet. You still have all the things. . .

What Financial Services do Credit Unions Offer?

If you’re looking for financial services, you may want to consider checking out what your credit union has to offer. Many credit unions today offer more than just a checking and savings account, they’ve expanded into upgraded financial services tailored to meet many needs.Credit unions are cooperative banking and financial companies. They are usually non-profit and cater to a particular group. . .

Realistic Time Budgeting Tips

I'm sure we've all had the experience of having a certain block of time available, and our to-do list tasks or goals that we want to accomplish in that time frame, only to turn around at the end of that period of time to have the frustrating experience of not getting nearly enough done that we thought we could. What happened? Where did all the time go? This can be in our personal / family li. . .

Futures Versus Forex (Foreign Exchange Market)

Todays current futures market is quite unlike the futures of the 19th century. Todays future market is a worldwide one that includes manufactured goods, financial currencies and treasury bonds, and agricultural products.When you speculate on futures it is not the actual good that is speculated upon rather it is the contract for the goods that is traded as value. Every futures contract includes . . .

Five Proven Methods for Internet Marketing Success

There are hundreds of ways that you can promote your online business or website, some more effective than others. These five proven methods will help you to generate traffic to your site and also to generate income into your wallet.1. One thing that appeals to everyone is “free.” If it is free people will take it. Think of the samples of cheese given away at grocery stores. Do you really want a. . .

Hedge Against Job Loss By Starting Your Own Internet Busi...

Globalization has reared its ugly head in the recent trade rows with China, the US and the EU. Many people have started to see their jobs being outsourced to these countries with low labour costs and lose their household income when that happens. This article gives you three reasons why you should hedge your income against job loss by starting your own internet business.Make money while you sle. . .

Elements of Timeless Leadership

Great leadership is timeless, always in vogue. The world has been hungry for great leaders from time immemorial. In times of chaos and war, environmental and social upheaval, great leaders often emerge pointing the way toward peace. In times of tranquility, calm and prosperity, great leaders have emerged to maintain the systems of order and to challenge apathy. Great leadership is always pop. . .

Terrorism: Acts of Terrorism: When will Insurance Respond?

Insurance policies provide financial protection in a broad range of circumstances but each type of product specifies certain situations where the policy will not respond. These vary from one type of product to another, and can vary in detail between one insurer and another. It is important to check the details of your individual policy. However the questions and answers below seek to set out th. . .

Livng on Large Cap Stocks--The Beginning

Like many stock market investors/traders, I too, lost my shirt in the nineties. High-tech stocks always seemed to offer such huge returns, and when you analyzed the charts they looked like can't miss opportunities. But as the decade wore on my stock portfolio value went on a steady nose dive. Until it virtually became non-existent.At the time I was looking for stocks to hold for a few months. . .

Why Wealth is Loving, Caring, and Sharing

Wealth is more than money. It's abundance, or as the Italians call it, "abbondanza," plenty, overflowing supply. Wealth is health and happiness, enjoyment and learning, opportunity and growth. When we move beyond a narrow definition of wealth, we find loving, caring, and sharing bring us the good things we want from life. Loving is much more than an emotion. It's an attitude of accepting oursel. . .

Breaking The Chains!

Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos, print and electronic ads from huge corporations. With annual ad budgets that are more that our businesses' SALES in an entire year, our small independent businesses are getting squeezed out of consumers minds (and wallets) more and more each year. But the good news is, there are ways to fight back and “break the cha. . .

From the Boardroom to Reality: RFID in the Fashion Appare...

Many Fashion Apparel / Textile companies - particularly those with a large network of stores - are well underway in terms of streamlining their supply chain and optimizing sales forecasts and distribution. They are now looking for ways to enhance revenues and market share by adopting modern ways of managing stores and inventory. RFID has now become a centrepiece in their strategic thinking. Som. . .

How Starting A Part Time Internet Business Can Yield A Fu...

Most people spend their day traveling from home to work and back home again slogging really hard at their offices. The reason why you remain as poor as you are is that the boss takes a slice of the profits by leveraging on your work done for them. Now before you get bitter, why not start your own internet business part time and turn the tables on society and become the boss of your own business. . .